Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried considered paying Donald Trump not to run for president, reveals Michael Lewis, the author of the book “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon.” According to Lewis, SBF saw Trump as a threat to democracy and wanted to prevent him from undermining it. The idea of paying Trump not to run came up during conversations at FTX, with a rumored amount of $5 billion, although it is unclear if that figure originated from Trump himself. However, this plan never materialized as Bankman-Fried no longer had the necessary funds.
Lewis spent a significant amount of time with Bankman-Fried in the Bahamas in 2022 and developed a close relationship with him. He describes the aftermath of the collapse of FTX as resembling the aftermath of Pompeii, with abandoned belongings and company cars left behind. The trial against Bankman-Fried, which involves seven fraud cases and five conspiracy charges, is set to begin on October 3, with jury selection taking place.
Overall, this revelation sheds light on Bankman-Fried’s views on Trump and his concerns about the potential harm to democracy. It also adds another layer to the story of SBF’s rise and fall, showcasing the significant legal challenges faced by Bankman-Fried in the upcoming trial.